The Carolina Panthers and the Chicago Bears meet Thursday in NFL action from Soldier Field. The Panthers are just 1-7 on the season so far. Carolina is coming off a loss to the Colts last weekend. As for Chicago, they’re sitting at a slightly better 2-7 overall and fell to the Saints in their most recent appearance. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Carolina Panthers 

The Panthers have been in pretty rough shape on both sides of the ball this year. Carolina averages just 17.5 points per game with 10 passing touchdowns and only two rush scores. They’ve been able to amass just 770 rush yards total, averaging 3.9 yards per play on 196 attempts. On defense the Panthers are giving up 28.3 points per game from 28 total TDs. 

In their latest defeat versus the Colts on Sunday, Carolina coughed up 20 points in the second quarter alone and fell 27-13 despite a mild improvement in the second half. QB Bryce Young posted 173 yards, one TD and three interceptions. Chuba Hubbard added 58 yards rushing and Hayden Hurst posted two catches for 54 yards. 

Carolina Panthers Team Facts

• The Panthers have lost 15 of their last 16 road games following a home loss.
• The Panthers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven road games following a home loss.
• The Panthers have lost the first half in each of their last six road games against NFC North opponents.
• The Panthers have scored the first touchdown in each of their last eight Week 10 games.
• The Panthers have won the first quarter in four of their last five November games as underdogs against NFC opponents.

Chicago Bears 

Over on the Bears’ side, they’re doing a little better scoring-wise this year, with a rough 20.9 points per game. Chicago has 14 passing scores against 12 interceptions so far, averaging 7.0 yards per pass attempt. The Bears have notched seven TDs on the ground with a 4.6-yard average. On defense they’ve given up 26.9 points per game with 20 pass scores and four rush touchdowns. 

In their last game versus the Saints, the Bears stayed competitive until the fourth quarter in a 24-17 loss. Tyson Bagent finished with 220 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. D’Onta Foreman led the rush on 83 yards, and Darnell Mooney put up 82 yards on five catches. Cole Kmet caught both scores from 55 yards off six catches. 

Chicago Bears Team Facts

• The Bears have lost each of their last eight games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Bears have failed to cover the spread in each of their last 11 games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Bears have scored the first touchdown in each of their last four games as favorites following a road loss.
• The underdogs have won the first quarter in each of the last three games between the Panthers and Bears.
• The Bears have lost the first half in each of their last four home games against NFC opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Bears rank 32nd in the NFL in sacks this season (10.0).
• The Bears rank 32nd in the NFL in punt return yards per game this season (7.4).
• The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in forced fumbles this season (2).
• The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in Q2 opponent points per game this season (11.0).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with the Bears at home. The bad news about this matchup is that there’s not a whole lot of intrigue involved between two teams that have a combined three wins. The good news is that it should be a competitive matchup—and somebody has to get a victory. Chicago wasn’t too bad against the Saints, outside of the whopping five turnovers and eight penalties. The Bears notched 368 total yards (212 passing) in that one with 20 first downs, which is a pretty solid day for their offense. 

As for the Panthers, they had three turnovers and 10 penalties in their latest loss versus the Colts. Carolina has scored 15 or fewer points in three of the last five games, but I think they’ll eclipse that total during a close Bears cover here.